North Edinburgh News – Page 3572 – The NEN

North West Carers are on the move!

North West Carers are moving home next week. The local organisation won’t be moving too far, however – the Carers are ‘flitting’ from Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre down to the Prentice Centre in Granton Mains.

Manager Angela Dias said: “We are moving to new premises on Wednesday (18 March). Our new address is: The Prentice Centre, 1 Granton Mains Avenue,
EH4 4GA. Our email addresses and website address will remain the same as now, as will our telephone number.

“We would expect communications to be working as normal, however please bear with us if there are complications with our telephone and email systems within the first few days. We will put a mobile number on our website on Wednesday which will provide a default communication system in the unlikely case of any unforeseen difficulties.”

www.nwcarers.org.uk
angela@nwcarers.org.uk

More funding for mental health services

A new £15 million fund for mental health will help to fund innovation and improve services over the next three years.

Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health announced details of the scheme in parliament yesterday. The funding will be spread out over the next three years and will be made up of four key elements:

• An allocation to NHS boards to support increased access to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), and to develop new and innovative approaches to treatment
• Funding to NHS Education Scotland to further develop the quality of CAMHS through improved training
• Work with partners and boards to develop better ways of helping people in distress – including those who are at risk of self harm or suicide
• Money to work with boards and partners to develop new ways of working with people with mental health problems in primary care settings

The £15 million innovation fund was first announced in November last year and the details have now been confirmed.

Mr Hepburn announced the details during a parliamentary debate of the Mental Health Bill. This bill, which successfully passed its stage one process yesterday, looks to amend legislation so that is works as well as possible for service users. It also introduces a Victim Notification Scheme for victims of mentally disordered offenders in a way that respects the rights of both victims and vulnerable offenders.

Jamie Hepburn said: “Expenditure on mental health is around £896 million in Scotland, but this additional funding will allow us to do more. It will enable us to find more creative and innovative ways to help people with mental health problems, whether they are going to their GP for the first time, or experiencing severe distress.

“I am particularly pleased to be able to announce that some of this funding will be used to improve access to child and adolescent mental health services, and to improve training in this area.

“We’ve made significant progress in this area in recent years, with a substantial improvement in waiting times and a record number of people working in the field. But there is an increasing number of referalls as more young people feel able to ask for help. That is a good thing, but also brings challenges. Through the innovation fund we will be able to find better ways of helping these vulnerable young people.”

Leith’s Kirkgate set for revamp

It’s been looking a bit tired and run-down for quite a while now, but Leith’s Kirkgate is set to be transformed as part of a plan to improve the area.

Changes will see the addition of trees, uplighting and new seating arrangements, as well as the removal of the tusk feature outside the New Kirkgate shopping centre.

Aimed at creating a safer and more attractive space at the bottom of Leith Walk, the proposals have been approved by Leith Neighbourhood Partnership following feedback from local residents.

More than 1000 Leithers responded online and in person to a survey that sought their views on the proposed changes.

Councillor Lesley Hinds, Transport Convener, said: “By listening to the views of local people we hope to create a safer, more attractive atmosphere for all those visiting or passing through the area. This work will complement the ongoing programme to improve Leith Walk, which has already received lots of positive feedback from the public.”

The Kirkgate improvements will come alongside ongoing work to upgrade the bottom of Leith Walk, as part of the Leith Programme, in addition to internal development to Kirkgate shopping centre.

As well as enhancing the appearance of the area, the new design aims to create a safe, welcoming space for locals, retaining the Queen Victoria statue at the foot of Leith Walk (above) and making the entrance to the shopping centre more open and accessible.

Find out more about the Leith Programme on the Council website.

Hundreds to celebrate International Women’s Day at Holyrood

Hundreds of women from diverse backgrounds will gather in the Scottish Parliament today at a conference to celebrate International Women’s Day.

The conference, which is an annual event, aims to celebrate women’s achievements and increase the participation and involvement of women in influencing policy.

Deputy Presiding Officer Elaine Smith MSP, who will chair the event, said: “I am looking forward to welcoming women from across Scotland to the Parliament to celebrate their many achievements and to give recognition to the role that women play in society. Every year, I am impressed by the inspirational stories of women who are given a platform at this event to share their experiences from their own unique perspective.”

The Scottish Parliament has held an event to mark International Women’s Day every year since 2005. The event is organised by the Scottish Women’s Convention, which works to develop ways to ensure women can influence the strategies and policies which affect them. The SWC has a network of over 300,000 women, including women in business, churches, trades unions and voluntary organisations.

This year’s speakers include:

Agnes Tolmie – Chair of the Scottish Women’s Convention and an active campaigner in the women’s movement for over thirty years.
Rt Hon Nicola Sturgeon MSP – First Minister.
Saima Lawson – student and mother;
Emma Park – member of the Young Voices for Change Group.
Miriam O’Reilly, former BBC journalist and ageism campaigner; and
Ruth Wishart – journalist and broadcaster.

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Ministers mark National Apprentice Week

National Apprenticeship Week 2015 activity got off to a flying start on Monday when apprentices from across London met Secretary of State for Business, Vince Cable, at the London Eye, marking the official launch event of the week.

The event took place in the wake of research from economists at the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr), showing that millions of consumers would prefer to do business with apprentice employers.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “The benefits of apprenticeships are clear – they make a vital contribution to the economy, boost business productivity and give people the skills they need to get on in the world of work.

“As this research shows, there has been an important shift in the attitudes towards apprenticeships with businesses, consumers, and young people recognising the significant opportunities they can offer.

On Tuesday Jason Holt CBE hosted an event at the House of Commons showcasing the products and services made by apprentices at small to medium-sized enterprises and featuring speeches from political and business leaders. Jason also officially launched ApprenticeMakers, a peer support service for small businesses interested in taking on apprentices.

The event featured exhibitions from SMEs, including: Heartplus, John O’Conner Ltd, The Bridal Gallery, Mike Rowland and Son, Blue Moon Creative Ltd, Michael Taite, Jonny’s Sister Ltd, K&M McLoughlin Decorating Ltd, Promo 2 U Limited, Holition and Optimity.

On Wednesday evening, the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg (top), welcomed employers and apprentices from the finance, legal and insurance services sectors at a reception in Whitehall. Skills Funding Agency executive director, Keith Smith, was accompanied to the event by an SFA apprentice who works in the legal team.

A catwalk-themed reception for Trailblazer employers was held yesterday at Elstree film studios, in partnership with the British Fashion Council, as a ‘thank you’ for the employers’ work in designing and implementing new apprenticeship standards.

Skills and Equalities Minister, Nick Boles, MP (above) said: This week is a time to celebrate the employers, young people and adults from across the country that are making apprenticeships such a success.”

Get Dancin’!

Remember Disco Tex and the Sex-O-Lettes? Fond memories of Wizzard, Mud and Abba? Then put a crease in your high-waisters and polish up those platforms!

Poster – Tickets on Sale

Events students from Edinburgh College are staging the ultimate 70’s disco tomorrow from 8pm – 1am at The Cav. See above for details

Your Credit Union needs YOU!

North Edinburgh Credit Union AGM TONIGHT!

North Edinburgh Credit Union’s annual general meeting will be held

on Thursday 12 March at 6.30pm

at NECU Office, 63 Wardieburn Drive

The Credit Union has been around since June 1986 and is getting a bit ‘tired’ – especially the current volunteers! If you want your Credit Union to continue we need volunteers who are younger and have fresh ideas to take the Credit Union forward.

We have at last updated our Rule Book and extended our Common Bond to taek in Live and/or Work in the designated map area, which has also been extended to Silverknowes, Craigleith, part of Comely Bank, Fettes, Ferry Road to Newhaven Road and down to Newhaven harbour.

The current committee has been talking to a new group called Water of Leith Credit Union (Community Bank) who have lots of new ideas (including technology) which would help take this Credit Union forward. Some of their committee will attend our AGM to give a short presentation and answer questions.

Why not join us to hear their views?

North Edinburgh Credit Union

General election: make sure your voter details are up to date

With just eight weeks to go until the UK General Election, Edinburgh voters are being urged to make sure their voter details are up to date.

Members of the public, including students and people who may have moved home since the last time they registered, are being reminded to check their registration details are correct ahead of the vote on Thursday 7 May.

More than 84% of the city’s residents voted in the Scottish Independence Referendum in September, which saw a record-breaking turnout across the country.

Since this time last year, the number of people registered to vote has risen by more than 15,000.

But anyone who has moved home or changed their name since the Referendum will need to ensure their details are up to date in order to vote in May. Members of the public can register or update their details online using the Government website by 20 April.

Dame Sue Bruce, Chief Executive of City of Edinburgh Council and Returning Officer for Edinburgh, said: “It is crucial that voters’ registration details are correct in order to have their say in the election, so I would urge all those who are unsure to check they are registered.

“We saw a record high turnout for the Scottish Independence Referendum last year and it would be great to continue this enthusiasm into the UK Parliamentary Election in May.”

The City of Edinburgh Council has launched a campaign to promote voter awareness and voter registration ahead of the election, along with the Lothian Valuation Joint Board. The drive will use social media, news releases and other promotional material to share information and advice on taking part in the election.

Find out where, when and how to vote on the Council website.

Council leader hails taxi accessibility talks

Access Action Plan is on it’s way

Council Leader Andrew Burns and Convener of the Regulatory Committee, Cllr Gavin Barrie met with charity campaigner Gordon Aikman yesterday to discuss concerns about taxi accessibility in Edinburgh.

Recently Mr Aikman, who has motor neurone disease, struggled to find a taxi that was able accommodate his wheelchair. He was due to introduce Ed Miliband at the Labour Party Conference in the capital but missed the opportunity after two taxis he called were unable to pick him up – one because the electric ramp was not working and the other because he ‘took too long to come down’.

Cllr Burns said: “What happed to Gordon is of course completely unacceptable and the purpose of today’s meeting was to discuss what we can do to make sure this doesn’t happen again. We have identified steps that we can take as the licensing authority for taxis in the city, to ensure that these vehicles are accessible to wheelchair users.

“For example, we will be cracking down on drivers who fail to stop for disabled customers and increasing the number of spot checks to check that the taxis’ ramps are operational. We will also be calling for taxi companies to review their allocated waiting time for collections with a view to extending this for people with mobility issues.

“We want to make sure that wheelchair users in Edinburgh have a positive experience when using taxis and I would like to thank Gordon for highlighting this very important issue.”

Other actions agreed include a review of the current driver training arrangements to improve accessibility training and looking at introducing refresher courses. Taxi drivers who are exempt from manually loading wheelchairs for health reasons may also be asked to display a prominent sign on their vehicle indicating that they are not accessible.

The agreed measures will now be taken forward by the Council, led by Councillor Gavin Barrie as Convener of the Regulatory Committee.

Welcoming the outcome of yesterday’s meeting, Gordon Aikman said: “This crackdown is very welcome. Wheelchair or not, each and every one of us should be able to get into a cab and get from A to B without any hassle. I’ve only been in a wheelchair for a couple of weeks, but have been shocked by the treatment disabled folk have to put up with.

“I’m confident this Access Action Plan will help make taxis in our capital more accessible. I hope other councils follow Edinburgh’s lead. This is not about special treatment – it is about equal access. No disabled person should have to put up with second rate service.”

Crackdown on crime continues across the city

Police Scotland have reported more progress in the fight against crime on Edinburgh’s streets

Police in Edinburgh investigating a firearms discharge in West Pilton have charged three men as part of wider disruption activity linked to the enquiry.

Officers responded to calls to West Pilton March in the early hours of Tuesday 3 March after gunshots were fired at the front door of a house.

Through information gathered from the local community during the subsequent investigation police identified three men aged 20, 23 and 25 in connection with a number of other crimes, including housebreaking, robbery and bail offences which had occurred across the city.

The three have since appeared in court and are all remanded in custody. Enquires are continuing into the firearms discharge and anyone who can assist police with their ongoing investigation is asked to come forward.

Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Houston said: “The local community in West Pilton have been extremely helpful during our enquiries into the firearms discharge and as a result of this investigation, three men have subsequently been charged.

“I would like to thank the public for all of their assistance so far and would again request that anyone who can help us trace those responsible for the firearms discharge to contact police immediately.

“In addition, anyone wishing to report any further criminal activity can also get in touch by contacting 101 or making an anonymous call to the charity Crimestoppers on 08000 555 111.”

In a separate development, enquiries into a Portobello armed robbery have led to arrests for crimes committed in Craigcrook Road.

A 21 year old man old appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday facing charges in connection with an armed robbery at a Ladbrokes betting shop in Portobello on Monday 2 March.

Enquiries in relation to this robbery led to the subsequent arrest of a man and woman in connection with an attempted robbery in Liberton Gardens and a housebreaking and vehicle theft in Craigcrook Road.

Both offences took place on Monday (9 March) and the pair aged 20 and 21 appeared in court yesterday.

In addition, a 25-year-old man has been charged following a robbery in Magdalene Gardens on Sunday 8 March. The male has also been charged with a firearms offence following a disturbance in Lochend Drive the same evening.

Detective Inspector Alan O’Brien said: “As a result of vital intelligence from the public, alongside extensive investigation from police in Edinburgh a number of individuals are now in custody in connection with various incidents, which took place in the Capital over the past week.

“We are continuing with our enquiries to identify others believed to be involved in the Portobello robbery and would again request that anyone with information that can assist with this investigation comes forward.

“Police Scotland is committed to tackling violent crime and offences where weapons are used. Whenever we receive reports of this nature we will conduct a thorough investigation to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.”

Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.